Amal takes reins for North Thames primary care research

Supporting GPs to deliver research is a key goal of the NIHR, and with this in mind, CRN North Thames has new leadership in place focusing primary care.

In the North Thames region, there are over 700 GP practices, approximately 40% of which delivered research in the last financial year.

Primary Care Research Delivery Manager, Amal Qureshi, has been recently appointed to lead the primary care team in North Thames, which is geared towards increasing still further the number of practices engaged in research.

She will work closely with primary care teams and GPs across the region to further their research involvement, increase engagement across practices and help to resolve any issues with studies as they arise.

The NIHR recently launched its primary care strategy, which describes the direction for expanding research activity in primary care settings and how this is to be achieved through both concerted work within the NIHR Clinical Research Network and through its links with the wider NIHR and key organisations influencing the primary care landscape.

Amal explained: “Primary care research has always been vital, with more than 90% of patient contacts in the NHS happening in primary care.

“In light of this and the launch of the strategy, we felt it was necessary to look at our primary care offering in North Thames and I am delighted to be leading this hugely important piece of work.”

Amal will be supported by primary care Research Specialty Leads, Dr Chas Thenuwara (outer London) and Dr Mehul Mathukia (inner London). Research Specialty Leads are expert clinical leaders and practitioners who work at both national and local levels to ensure that studies are delivered successfully and to promote awareness of research opportunities for participants to take part in.

Primary care is a key arena for research. For example, the recent PANORAMIC trial, looking at oral antivirals to combat COVID-19, was delivered in primary care and recruited more than 25,000 participants from across the UK.

Amal said: “We want to continue to build on the successes of trials such as PANORAMIC and my focus, supported by the expertise of Chas and Mehul, will be on giving more people the chance to take part in clinical trials when they see their GP and supporting those GPs, and their staff, to deliver research.”

If you work in primary care and would like to discuss the support available for delivering research, contact Amal by emailing amal.qureshi@nihr.ac.uk